Director, Media Engagement (Consumer Media & Programs)

Location: Chicago, IL or US Remote; flexible hybrid/remote work environment with regular collaboration, periodic travel, and up to 10–15% travel

Salary: $155,000–$170,000, plus eligibility for a performance-based bonus of up to 6%

Company

The Alzheimer’s Association is a voluntary health organization focused on Alzheimer’s care, support, research, risk reduction, early detection, and quality care.

What you will do

• Lead the national earned media strategy supporting organizational priorities, awareness campaigns, mission objectives, and major initiatives.
• Advise executive leadership and internal stakeholders on media opportunities, messaging, reputation management, and issues response.
• Plan and execute proactive and reactive media relations across national consumer, health, lifestyle, trade, and multicultural media.
• Develop spokesperson preparation, message development, and media training for executives and subject matter experts.
• Strengthen media engagement through team leadership, chapter support, communications best practices, and innovative technologies.
• Manage agency partnerships, budgets, performance measurement, media analytics, trends, emerging issues, and reputational risks.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in public relations, communications, journalism, or a related field.
• 8–10 years of progressively responsible experience in media relations, public relations, communications, journalism, or related fields.
• Exceptional communications, writing, message development, public speaking, and presentation skills.
• Proven success leading integrated media relations strategies and high-profile communications initiatives.
• Strong executive presence and ability to provide strategic counsel to senior leaders.
• Expertise in media relations, reputation management, issues response, stakeholder engagement, strategic planning, project management, and organization.
• Leadership experience including team development, coaching, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Experience using metrics, analytics, and insights to evaluate performance; managing agency partnerships, budgets, and external vendors.
• Proficiency with communications technologies, media monitoring platforms, and AI tools that enhance communications effectiveness.

Culture & Benefits

• Full-time schedule of 37.5 hours per week with a flexible hybrid/remote arrangement.
• Occasional evenings, weekends, or non-traditional hours may be required.
• Benefits for eligible employees include medical, dental, vision, disability, life and long-term care insurance, flex accounts, tuition reimbursement, paid time off, holidays, paid family leave, and volunteer and cultural days.
• Eligible employees receive a 401(k) retirement plan; full-time employees also receive School Visitation Day and Elder Care Facility Day.
• The organization supports diverse perspectives, health equity, and engagement with underrepresented and underserved communities.

Hiring process

• Qualified applicants should apply through the Alzheimer’s Association careers website.
• Employment is subject to an individualized background assessment, including criminal, education, employment, motor vehicle, and reference checks.
• Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered in accordance with applicable fair-chance laws.